Arguably, the fact that the city didn’t provide enough money to do phases 1 and 2 at the same time caused part of the delay and construction cost overruns. It’d have been cheaper to put the launch box near the Harlem River Drive than in the middle of 2nd and 96th, and the overall cost of phases 1 and 2 would have been lower since they would just need one pair of TBMs.

Second, Bloomberg’s transit funding priorities aren’t skewed just because of SAS. I find his unwillingness to fund a station at 41st and 10th because that area is already developed every bit as enlightening.

And yes, I know that this is moot. The close victory means Weiner will run. He’ll probably win, which may or may not be a good thing. Weiner’s consistently a populist, and was against congestion pricing, but later supported bridge tolls on suburbanites (see plan here). On the other hand, on other domestic issues, like health care and neighborhood governance, he has a perfect record.

The SAS has not been delayed, in the reports I’ve seen, due to a shortage of funds from the City. When Phase II ramps up, that may require City funds and then the needed cash will be found.

Today East Harlem is one big fat tract of ripening speculation and potential development. When we get beyond the big real estate slump and economic doldrums of the Great Recession, the big players will get ready to put up high-rise apartment towers along First, Second, and Third Avenues on the “Upper Upper East Side.” Then things will be moved and shaken, and the SAS will be completed up to 125th St, stations and all. If it takes City money to do that, no problem.

Anyway, perhaps a moot argument. Thompson wasn’t quite a giant killer, but he sure cut Hizzoner down to a more human size. A fourth term remains a theoretical possibility, but this morning it looked less like a very real threat. We’ll be watching Cong Anthony Weiner and Controller John Liu for their views on public transportation with great interest.

Jon: yes, I’d rather have had Thompson. Thompson could be voted out in 4 years, and would be restricted from doing bad by the city council. Bloomberg can buy himself a fourth term and bribe city council into letting him gentrify more neighborhoods.

And no, Thompson didn’t run against any environmental justice projects in Bed-Stuy. He ran against bike lanes in Chinatown. That was stupid of him – the bike lanes are actually popular there – but Chinatown isn’t Bed-Stuy and it’s not East Harlem.

It makes sense to start in high-profile location only if you’re going for pizzazz, which is what Sadik-Khan’s doing. Even then, there’s no excuse not to immediately move on to the most traffic-choked neighborhoods. If you’re going for just improving alternative transportation and public health, you should start with projects that actually improve alternative transportation and public health.

Bloomberg is defunding Second Avenue Subway in favor of a subway to nowhere.

Seeing as the 7 train extension is being financed by bonds linked to new real estate tax revenue (an idea that looked much better several years ago than it does now,) exactly where is the proof that the SAS has been defunded for this other project?

alon, you are trying to make this into something its not. it makes more sense to start in high profile locations especially places where there is the volume of foot traffic to actually populate the new plazas. times square was in serious need of additional pedestrian space and is a place occupied by a large cross section of the population. there is no select bus service in manhattan, there is in the bronx, and she tried it in brooklyn which thompson has opposed.

thompson is the one fighting JSK’s projects especially those in neglected neighborhoods like bed-stuy and whom is more concerned about motorists street parking over new bus and bike lanes in these very neighborhoods.

In Atlanta, it’s Norwood 45%, Reed 37%, Borders 14.5%, 14% precincts reporting. Likely to go into a runoff of Norwood vs. Reed

http://www.nbcaugusta.com/news/local/69012927.html

In Charlotte, Foxx has won with 51% of the vote, with Lassiter conceding

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/politics/story/1036333.html

In Houston, it’s Parker 31%, Locke 25%, Brown 23%, Morales 20%, with 75% of precincts reporting. Likely to go into a runoff, with Parker vs. Locke

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/6701998.html

In Miami, Regalado is winning, with 72%, Sanchez 28%, with 81% precincts reporting.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aH1L3nxLHwts

In New York City, Bloomberg is winning again (CNN)

Bloomberg 51%, Thompson 46%, 98% of precincts reporting

In Seattle, McGinn is barely winning, with 50.03%, Mallahan 48.96% in early returns.

http://www.seattlepi.com/local/411800_mayor03.html

The mind boggles at the notion that the first traffic reduction priority should be Midtown and not East Harlem, where community activists have complained about asthma for decades, or Long Island City.

Did Sadik-Khan ever try to do anything for East Harlem?

So don’t count Charlotte or its transit plans out. Knowing my hometown — and I know it pretty well — it will happen. Just got a few things to figure out first.